The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 12/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20

Fields of study the course is directly associated with

there are 19 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

The course reacts to the challenges in the Visegrad region posed by the current development in social issues such as migration, minority rights, unemployment or marginalization of ethnic minorities. It introduces the concept of social inclusion and opens discussion on a variety of its interpretations and applications. The course aims to connect theory with practice and offer insights into the areas where principles of social inclusion are applied. Moreover, the course aims to provide an opportunity for students to meet the practitioners dealing with social inclusion as a part of their professional career, inside, but also outside of academic setting.
The format of the course includes an introductory theoretical lecture, a series of thematic seminars led by external lecturers with expertise on social inclusion in the fields of education, public policy, employment, public space and social innovation, a methodology seminar, and field trips to selected institutions in Brno and Budapest. The course builds on interactive teaching and active contribution of all partakers, the lecturers, but also students themselves.
Course objectives
• To expose students to key theoretical concepts and debates about social inclusion and related sociological concepts.
• To introduce a variety of fields within which social inclusion is discussed, to show practical implications of inclusive approaches and to touch upon emerging problematic issues related to its application.
• To discuss the good practices with theoreticians and practitioners from Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic.
• To prepare students for writing research proposals and give them a chance to design (and eventually also conduct) their own research in relation to social inclusion.
• To provide guidance in writing blog contribution and create a space for public engagement.
• To offer contacts on different institutions researching or actively promoting social inclusion in the society.
• To enhance students' language competence and communication skills in English.

Syllabus

The course does not have a regular schedule, it starts on 27th September, continues with a block of lectures in mid-October and two field trips in November and December 2017.
27.9. 9:45-13:15 Introduction - What is social inclusion?
10.10. 11:00-14:30 Social innovations as a practical inclusive tool
11.10. 9:45-13:15 Inclusive education
12.10. 9:45-13:15 Inclusive workplace
17.10. 9:45-13:15 Identity conflicts, polarization, and deradicalization
18.10. 9:45-13:15 Inclusive public space
19.10. 9:45-13:15 Inclusion, direct contact, and social norms
23.10. 9:45-13:15 Methodology seminar - how to design a research proposal?
24.11. 10:00 - 15:00 field trip to selected institutions in Brno
7.-8.12. field trip to selected institutions in Bratislava

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars and field trips.

Assessment methods

Course evaluation is based on three requirements:
1. Participation and active contribution into discussion – students are required to contribute actively during the lectures and seminars. They are required to read course literature, to discuss it in the classroom and to pose relevant questions. The attendance on all of the course related activities including field trips are mandatory and subject to proper excuse in case of illness or other circumstances.
2. Writing a research proposal - students are required to articulate a clear research problem, situate it in the existing literature, propose a methodological approach to address the research question, and discuss the significance of the project in relation to the concept of social inclusion. During the semester, students will prepare an outline of the project for which they will receive a detailed feedback. At the end of the semester, they will put together an entire research proposal (6-8 pages; 1,5 spaced).
3. Writing a blog contribution – students are required to contribute to the blog published on the course website (http://inclusion.fss.muni.cz/). The contribution should be 2 standard pages long and focus on selected issue relevant to the discussion on social inclusion in V4 region. The contribution can build on knowledge and experience acquired during seminars, field trips, or observation of selected phenomenon. The best texts will be published also on the official blog of the Department of Sociology (http://socfss.blog.respekt.cz).
Attendance and active participation 25%
Blog contribution 15%
Research proposal 1st draft 20%
Final research proposal 40%